Industrial age and aerospace history fuses with a vibrant art scene throughout the streets of Lynn, Massachusetts. About 10 miles northeast of Boston along the North Shore, Lynn has big-city amenities without the accompanying noise and traffic of a huge metropolis. Though some parts of the area have an urban feel, others have trademark sounds of quacking ducks and rustling trees, coming from the Lynn Woods Reservation.
Also known as the City of Firsts, Lynn’s engineers created the first jet airplane in the country. Advanced shoemaking factories resulted in its title as the Shoe Capital of the
World during the American Revolution. Former warehouses with uniform brick facades are now often decorated with bright murals and house new businesses. “It is a very up-and-coming neighborhood,” says Beth Connor of Connor Real Estate, who has worked in the community for almost 40 years. “A lot of people really want to live here, and it is bringing up the prices.”
Healthcare professionals, educators and engineers often come to Lynn for job opportunities. Lynn Community Health Center provides a variety of services across more than 25 locations in the city, and teachers can choose from dozens of public schools. The General Electric Aerospace facility in Lynn is one of the leading sites in the world for commercial and military aircraft engineering. It was also one of the first General Electric Company plants.
Take a stroll along Lynn Shore Drive near Fayette Street.
Lynn's rich shoe making history is celebrated all over the city.
Climb up to Dungeon Rock in the Lynn Woods Reservation and experience it's rich history.
The General Electric Aerospace facility in Lynn is one of the first GE plants.
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Lynn’s municipal parks and water access
Whether admiring the unobstructed view of Boston from the High Rock Tower or taking a pup to the dog park, residents can enjoy many outdoor activities. As the second largest municipal park in the country, Lynn Woods Reservation offers the most recreational diversity. Activities include an observation tower, a nearby golf course and the haunted Dungeon Rock cave, which is said to house hidden pirate treasure from the 17th century. Park visitors can ride their horses and mountain bikes, and cross-country skiers traverse the trails in the winter. The reservation’s ponds supply the city with drinking water, so recreation is not permitted here. Other reservoirs, like Flax and Sluice ponds allow swimming, fishing and paddle boating.
Magnolia Park borders Flax Pond and features fields, alongside tennis and basketball courts. “The park is so beautiful with the pond right there, and that is the spot where all the local football and baseball teams meet up to play,” Connor says. Flax Pond Playground sits at the pond’s southern end with a jungle gym and splash pad.
Residents can easily reach the coast and overlook the water from the benches of the Historic Lynn Heritage State Park. Red Rock Park has an elevated, paved boardwalk along the coastline, as well as field space for small gatherings and a summer concert series. Lynn and Nahant beaches provide bay access and sandy shores, while other coastal parks are available just north in Swampscott.
Lynn Beach is a quick bike ride away from Downtown Lynn and is a busy spot in the summer.
Joggers enjoy the trails in Lynn Woods close to Highlands.
Gannon Municipal Golf Course has a lush landscape near Faye's Estate.
High Rock Tower sits stately above Lynn in the Highlands with sweeping views of the city.
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Unique events and happenings of Lynn
Throughout the year, locals and visitors gather in Lynn for cultural and holiday celebrations. The Lynn Common transforms into an homage to Cambodian heritage during the Khmer New Year Celebration, which features a parade, vendors and traditional ceremonies and performances. During Labor Day weekend, hundreds gather for the Annual Grecian Festival for authentic food, games, rides and dancing. Connor says the city has “the best 4th of July event around,” with block parties and firework displays along Lynn Shore Drive. At the Lynn Arts & Culture Festival each year, downtown becomes an assemblage of live music, food and creative displays in multiple locations, with trolleys to help transport residents between exhibits.
To learn more about the city’s past, the Lynn Museum & Arts Center hosts educational and creative exhibits. For example, the “Industry & Craft: People at Work in Lynn” display honors local inventions and industrial achievements. Art enthusiasts can visit the rotating galleries or admire the Lynn Stories Mural, a vibrant display of the area’s history on the façade of the museum’s LynnArts building. The Lynn Memorial Auditorium has hosted shows since 1948, with notable performances from artists like Alice Cooper, Pitbull and BB King.
Festival of Lights is a fun family event during the holidays in Lynn.
Families enjoy the delicious food served by local restaurants at the Lynnside Out event in Lynn.
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Shopping centers and award-winning cuisines
Restaurants and shops sit along downtown Lynn’s busier streets, most of which jut out from Central Avenue and Washington Street. The US Census Bureau estimates that about 43% of the population is Latino, and Hispanic bodegas and eateries dominate the food scene. The city’s Cambodian community has also brought authentic Southeast Asian restaurants to the area. Perhaps one of the most well-known restaurants, The Blue Ox bistro has won Boston Magazine’s Battle of the Burger competition for three consecutive years.
Shoppers can reach big-box grocers on side streets off Western Avenue, while smaller shopping centers, like Lynn Marketplace have strips of retail, fast food, banks and businesses. The closest malls and department stores are available north of the city in Salem and Swampscott.
Grab a tasty dinner from the friendly folks at The Blue Ox in Downtown Lynn.
The Golden Monkey Cafe offers delicious Cambodian food close to Agganis AC.
Stop by Merengue Market in Chatham Street for all your grocery needs.
Lynn residents enjoy the view and good food at nearby Four Winds Pub & Grill.
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New England architecture, triple-deckers and apartments
Prospective homebuyers will find urban condos downtown as well as sizeable lots on wide suburban cul-de-sacs. Closer to the coast, residential streets are more densely packed. Sidewalks support the heavy foot traffic in these downtown neighborhoods, though residents can also be seen biking and jogging the wider roads of suburban areas.
Apartment and condo complexes have one-to-three-bedroom units that typically sell from $200,000 to $550,000. Multifamily properties can come with two to 20 units, the lower end of the range falling around $500,000 to $800,000. Investors often buy the larger builds for $1 million to $5 million. Renters can expect to find studios for about $1,800 per month, while three-bedroom units can reach about $3,500.
Single-family homes come in a variety of styles, including New Englanders, colonials and Cape Cods. The smallest builds can go for as low as $300,000, while newer properties near the suburbs of the Lynn Woods Reservation can reach about $1 million.
Lynn has waterside homes with docks that stretch out into the pond.
Traditional Cape Cod style homes give Lynn it's New England charm.
Multi family homes are popular in the Chatham Street neighborhood.
Spacious newer build condos are a popular option within Downtown Lynn.
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Education in Lynn from prekindergarten to college
The Lynn Public Schools district earns an overall C-minus on Niche, with A-minus grades for diversity and sports. The district has implemented a Multilingual Education Department, as the student body has native speakers of over 30 languages. Middle and high schoolers have the opportunity to participate in dozens of intramural and competitive athletic teams, and students can also take courses in art, dance, music and theater.
Families have a few options for private education within the city. The A-rated North Shore Christian School offers faith-based learning for prekindergarten through eighth grade. St. Mary’s Lynn scores a B-plus and enrolls students from prekindergarten through 12th grade.
North Shore Community College offers associate degree programs and career training courses, while the nearest four-year universities are closer to Boston.
North Shore Christian School in Lynn has an overall grade of A+ on Niche.
St. Mary's Lynn has an overall grade of B+ on Niche.
North Shore Community College sits at the northern edge of Lynn.
Lynn English High School was voted best low income school in the Chatham Street area.
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Navigating Lynn and Greater Boston
Lynn’s biggest thoroughfare is Route 107, which runs north to Salem and south to Revere. Major roads like Route 1 and Interstate 95 flow nearby, which puts downtown Boston about 20 minutes away. Train service is available from the Central Square commuter rail station into Boston’s North Station. Locals can also use the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority buses, which stop all over the city. Boston Logan International Airport is 10 miles away, providing direct flights to over 100 destinations all around the world.
Additional information about weather and crime patterns
While temperatures can surpass 80 degrees in the summer, winters are full of snow and cold winds. The city removes snow from the entrances of public buildings within three hours, but residents must shovel their own sidewalks. Cars must also be moved off certain streets during snow emergencies so that plows can properly clear the roads.
According to the FBI, in the fall of 2023, Lynn had a crime rate of about 156 incidents per 100,000 people, whereas the US average was around 119. The city has launched numerous initiatives to prevent violence and gangs, with the primary goal of mentoring Lynn’s youth.
Amy Jalbert is genuinely passionate about bringing her client’s dreams to life. In serving her valued clientele seeking to find their dream home or sell their special residence, Amy offers exceptional representation and is dedicated to providing crucial, in-depth local market knowledge. She fully enjoys sharing her insights into the rich and charming character of the distinctive communities within the Greater Boston real estate market. As a member of The Live in Luxury Team, she works personally with each client to ensure that they receive exceptional counsel and a truly impressive real estate experience. Appreciated for her extra effort and attention, Amy takes every measure to educate and provide her clients with an informed and insightful assessment and careful analysis of the market. At every interaction, she works personally with each client to ensure that their needs are thoroughly attended to. From the selection of their distinctive property to the review of the contractual components of the transaction, through to the details of the inspection, and on to the final and important points at closing; Amy is a skilled advocate who is always acting diligently on their behalf in her client’s best interest.
Known for her extra effort and personal touches that produce outstanding results, Amy’s trusted insight and skillfulness extend to every aspect of her service throughout the transaction. Her clients trust in her honesty, integrity, and valued insights. Being highly conscientious of her client's personal requirements, she is extremely attentive and thorough in providing constant attention and communication regarding the important details of the transaction. Amy ultimately ensures that each client receives outstanding representation and excels at executing with deliberate, strategic, and skillful measures that achieve outstanding results.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
